THE SHORTNOSE STURGEON
The shortnose sturgeon has been classifed as rare by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; endangered by the U. S. Department of Interior; and threatened by Miller (1972) according to LaBastille (1973). Another source states that they are still common along the Atlantic Coast and are probably found in every big river unless it is grossly polluted (LaBastille 1973).
Shortnose sturgeon are still found in the Kennebec River as far as Augusta. Reasons for decline include pollution, obstruction of spawning grounds, and overfishing throughout the Atlantic coastal zone (LaBastille 1973). Thus efforts to restore this fishery would have to include pollution abatement and the elimination of man-made obstacles along spawning rivers where feasible.
THE ATLANTIC STURGEON
Several tributaries of Merrymeeting Bay including the Eastern, Abagadasset, Cathance, Androscoggin and Kennebec to Augusta still support annual runs of Atlantic sturgeon. An estimated several hundred are found in Maine, chiefly-in the Kennebec River, its mouth and estuary, and in Merrymeeting Bay (Dow 1973). Atlantic sturgeon are uncommon in Maine.
According to LaBastille (1973), Atlantic sturgeon is still fished commercially in the St. Lawrence River, but has not been fished commercially in Maine for about 70 years. Only a few white Russian emigrants exploit this fishery and catch an unknown number. Occasional sturgeons are taken by smelt fishermen, or by ice fishermen. The largest size known is 811 pounds and 14 feet long (Leim and Scott 1966). It is considered a relic population of fish left since pre Colonial days when early settlers on the Kennebec reported catching hundreds of the huge fish.
The importance of the Atlantic sturgeon lies in its ecological and scientific interest. It adds to the uniqueness and diversity of the Bay's environs. In addition, at one time, it provided an excellent supply of food for the Bay residents and, as the pollution problems in the Bay are reduced, the sturgeon population might again become a viable commercial fishery.
Reasons for the decline of the sturgeon include pollution and obstructions to spawning grounds. Sturgeon, because of size, have difficulty using fishways (LaBastille 1973).
Management recommendations which could help to protect or restore the sturgeon to the Bay include (after LaBastille 1973):
1. Abatement of water pollution
2. Protection or acquisition of any existing spawning streams
3. Elimination of man-made obstacles where possible along spawning rivers.
Sturgeon in Discover the Kennebec
Bridgework to pause for sturgeons' sake March 1996
Sturgeon migration shouldn't interfere with Bath projects. January 23, 1997